Guide to a Weekend in Calistoga

Travelers looking for a relaxing vacation in Wine Country should pay attention to the small town of Calistoga. Visitors to Napa Valley’s most northern city can mingle with farmers, grape growers, winemakers, and locals just by walking down the street or stopping by one of the many restaurants or tasting rooms the town has to offer. Sipping wine and relaxing by a geothermal mineral pool are the main attractions but Calistoga has much more to offer.

Staying in Calistoga

Calistoga hotels focus on relaxation. Many boast heated mineral pools warmed from the rich mineral water that runs below the town and on-site spa offerings for ultimate rejuvenation without leaving the property.

Image Source: Mount View Hotel

The historic Mount View Hotel is located on Calistoga’s main street, and the boutique hotel has been welcoming guests for over 100 years. Now considered an Art Deco living masterpiece, the hotel offers charming guest rooms, artist cottages with private patios and outdoor jacuzzi tubs, and winery suites boasting their own unique design inspired by a local winery.

Image Source: Brannan Cottage Inn

The recently renovated Brannan Cottage Inn perfectly blends historical charm with modern amenities. The Victorian country cottages are listed in the National Register of Historic Places and offer luxe in-room details like espresso machines and pillow-top king beds. While Brannan Cottage Inn is central to many shops, restaurants, and wineries, they also offer an on-demand shuttle to help guests see more of Calistoga.

Image Source: EuroSpa & Inn

The EuroSpa & Inn is surrounded by vineyards but is only a few minutes walk to downtown Calistoga. Offering 13 rooms outfitted with Wine Country inspired decor and plush beds alongside in-room fireplaces and soaking tubs. With a day spa on site, the EuroSpa & Inn is a great place to detox with a mud wrap, made with local volcanic ash and clay, LED therapy, or a visit to their infrared sauna.

Image Source: Indian Springs Resort and Spa

As the oldest California continuously operated pool and spa facility, Indian Springs Resort and Spa has relaxation perfected. Guests to the resort can enjoy over 17 acres of rolling hills and beautiful northern Napa Valley vegetation alongside the hotel’s picturesque lodge and surrounding cottages and bungalows. An olympic-sized main pool and more intimate adult pool welcome visitors to soak in the healing Calistoga mineral waters, and be sure to challenge your travel mates to a round of bocce ball or shuffleboard between bike rides to tastings in town.

Brunch in Calistoga

Calistoga brunch is a must for visitors looking to go wine tasting in the afternoon. Many restaurants are open for brunch on weekdays, as well as weekends.

Image Source: Cafe Sarafornia

Cafe Sarafornia serves a traditional diner breakfast with a Wine Country twist. Seasonal dishes such as the Brannan Benedict — two poached eggs, guacamole, bacon, and their very own red-eye sauce on English muffin — grace the menu, and portions are big, so bring your appetite.

Image Source: Lovina and Yelp

Lovina, formerly known as the Calistoga Kitchen, was recently revamped with a little help from San Francisco-based restaurateur, Jennifer Bennett, of Zazie fame. The sign “Great Food” outside the small patio isn’t just good marketing, it is a promise to guests to expect delicious eats when visiting. Open for brunch and dinner, dig in to their Jenna & Shaun’s Eggy Surprise, a brunch option that changes often, on the patio, and if you happen to stop by on a Thursday night, enjoy no corkage fees.

Image Source: Solbar

Solbar is a Michelin-starred restaurant and bar that is trendy yet approachable. Guests are treated to farm-fresh, seasonal ingredients breakfast through late-night lounge snacks. Order the Solbar Bloody Mary (it has a little kick) and pair with their Morning in California, a dish of fresh Blue Crab and avocado served open-face on a toasted english muffin.

Lunchtime in Calistoga

If you are planning early morning or evening adventures in Calistoga, there are no shortage of places to grab a bite to eat midday.

Image Source: Calistoga Inn Restaurant

The Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery is for travelers who are looking for a casual lunch and a place to grab a beer (refreshing after a day of wine tasting). The outdoor patio stretches along the Napa River and all the beer is made in the historic water tower.

Image Source: Sam’s Social Club

Sam’s Social Club is a newer restaurant to Calistoga scene, but quickly has become a favorite of visitors and locals. The main restaurant holds up to 90 people and also features a ground floor brew-pub called The Cellar. Take a break from wine tasting to try their Reuben sandwich with house-made pastrami and a pilsner.

Image Source: All Seasons Bistro

Since 1976, All Seasons Bistro has been serving up creative American cuisine in Napa Valley. The restaurant prides itself on a fully organic menu and sourcing their food from local producers. Open for lunch or dinner, enjoy dishes like Scallop, Prawn, Mussel and Clam Risotto or French Dip Roast Beef Sandwich, and be sure to explore their extensive wine list and pair with a glass of Calistoga’s finest.

Dinner in Calistoga

After a day of exploring northern Napa Valley, it’s time to kick back, relax, and savor the many amazing flavors of the region.

Image Source: Bosko’s Trattoria

Bosko’s Trattoria on Calistoga’s main street serves authentic Italian comfort food. You will find favorite dishes like Minestrone soup, Chicken Parmesan, and the Godfather Pasta — Italian sausage and vegetables in a spicy tomato sauce. All their pastas are handmade and with plenty of love.

Image Source: Evangeline

Evangeline is casual French fare with a Creole twist. Tables are mostly patio seating, so make sure to bring layers when dining here. If you are there on a Saturday night, you’ll get to enjoy their weekly special, the Buttermilk Fried Quail.

Image Source: Veraison

Farm-to-table and French fare collide at Veraison. Located in the charming Mount View Hotel, the small bistro mixes up sensational seasonal dishes with rotating daily specials. Close out a perfect Calistoga day with Roasted Bone Marrow or Liberty Farms Duck Breast L’Orange and save room for dessert, as you’ll want to delight in their Fromage Blanc Cheesecake.

Wine Tasting in Calistoga

Calistoga is in Napa Valley’s northern region and home to wineries of all sizes. Prefer not to drive? Take the on demand Calistoga Shuttle to go wine tasting.

Image Source: Dutch Henry

Dutch Henry is a small family-owned winery known for their cabernet sauvignon and Bordeaux varietals. Located along the Silverado Trail, visitors can opt to tour their organically farmed vineyards or relax outside on their picnic and bocce court. Feel free to bring your dog along, as long as they don’t mind being greeted by the winery’s resident dogs Mini and Seamus.

Image Source: Bennett Lane

The Bennett Lane tasting room offers two tasting flights at the winery: A Signature Flight, four wines at $20 per flight and a Reserve Flight, three Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons at $45 per flight. Book your reservation ahead of time to make sure you can get a tasting and don’t miss out on their Maximus Red Blend as it is a favorite among past visitors.

Image Source: Vincent Arroyo Winery

Vincent Arroyo Winery offers a comfortable atmosphere inside a big barn full of oak wine barrels. All wines, including chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, petite sirah, merlot, and sangiovese, are grown on their estate vineyards. If the owner/winemaker is there, make sure to say hello because he loves signing wine bottles for travelers.

Adventures in Calistoga

There is much more to Calistoga than wine tasting. Travelers from all over the world visit here to experience the mineral pools, Old Faithful Geyser of California, hot air balloon rides, and bountiful Wine Country shopping.

A favorite way to truly experience the Napa Valley is to view it from above. Calistoga Balloons takes visitors 2,000 feet above the vineyards in their colorful hot air balloon ride and is a great experience for any bucket list.

The Old Faithful Geyser of California is just north of downtown Calistoga. Get up close and personal as the geyser erupts every 20 to 30 minutes.